Battery terminal



Dec. 27, 1949 c. A. BAlLlFF 2,492,256

BATTERY TERMINAL Filed June 6, 1947 INVENTQR. 7 (haw/e5 ATTORNEYPatented Dec. 27 1949 S PATENT OFFICE BATTERY TERMINAL Charles A.Bailiff, OmenMich. Application June 6, 1947, SerialNo. 752,993 g Claims.

This invention relates to an electrical connector terminal, and moreparticularly to a terminal adapted for use in connection with storagebatteries.

After the terminal has been on the battery post for a period of time,the terminal becomes corroded, and it becomes extremely diflicult toremove from the post, frequently resulting in damages to the battery andpost, and it is therefore one of the prime objects of the invention toprovide a battery terminal which is adjustable to fit any size ofbattery post, and one that will positively clamp and engage the post,providing a positive electrical connection which can be removed withoutthe use of a wrench or other tool, and without damage to the battery orpost.

Another object is to provide a battery terminal of simple, practical,and substantial design, which can be cheaply manufactured, which is easyto remove or install on a battery post.

With the above and other objects in view, the present invention consistsin the combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter more fullydescribed, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and moreparticularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understoodthat changes may be made in the form, size, proportion, and minordetails of construction, without departing from the spirit orsacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is a side-elevational view of my improved connection, showing myimproved terminal clamped on a battery post.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal, sectional view showing the lever swung tolocked position.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the lever raised to releasethe clamp from the post.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing in which I have shown thepreferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 8 indicates aconventional storage battery which is provided with annular posts 9 asusual.

The terminal Hi can be of any desired material, and is formed with anelongated slotted opening ii therein, which fits over the post 9, theone end of the body comprising a shank !2 formed with a recess l3 inwhich one end of the flexible cable conductor i4 is accommodated asusual.

The outer end of the opening H is rounded as shown to accommodate andembrace the battery post 9, and grooves I5 are provided in the sidewalls of the body to slidably accommodate the sally connected to legs 16of the clamp member II, which clamp is movable horizontally in thegrooves as it is forced to locked and/or unlocked position, thesegrooves leading upwardly as shown, and open to the upper edges of theside walls so that the clamp can be easily assembled in position.

A lever member L is mounted in the side walls of the body l0, and isformed with laterally projecting lugs l9 mounted in sockets or grooves20 which lead into the grooves l5 so that the lever can be readilyinserted and removed, the inner ends of the lever being bifurcated as at2|, and a block member 22 is revolvably mounted in the forked section,said block being formed with lugs 23 extending into suitable openings inthe forked section, and is centrally bored and threaded to accommodate ascrew 24 which is adjustably mounted therein, the inner end of thisscrew being formed with a ball-shaped head 25 engageable in a verticallydisposed slot 26 provided in the clamp, the end of the screw beingslotted as usual to accommodate a screw driver so that it may beadjusted as desired.

The clamp is very easy to apply or remove; it merely requiresmanipulation of the lever to lock or unlock and the entire assembly canbe mass pgoduced with the consequent savings in labor e c.

From the foregoing description, it will be obvious that I have perfecteda very simple, practical and economical battery terminal for connectionto storage battery posts and the like.

What I claim is:

, 1. A storage battery terminal comprising a, rigid body adapted toreceive a conductor at one end thereof, an elongated opening in saidbody and adapted to accommodate a battery post therein, grooves in theside walls defining said opening, a clamp slidably and adjustablymounted in said grooves, and a locking lever also hingedly mounted insaid side walls and universaid clamp for adjusting it horizontally whenthe lever is actuated.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1 in which a screw block ispivotally mounted on the locking lever, and a screw adjustable in saidscrew block and having universal engagement with said clamp.

3. The combination set forth in claim 1 in which said grooves leadupwardly and open to the upper end of the body to permit easy insertionand removal of the clamp.

4. The combination set forth in claim 1 in which the lever is bifurcatedto pivotally accommodate the screw block, and a ball-shaped head on thescrew for universal engagement with the clamp member.

5. A storage battery terminal comprising a rigid body adapted to receivea conductor in the shank end thereof, an elongated opening in said bodyand having a rounded end adapted to accommodate a battery post therein,horizontally disposed open grooves in the side walls defining saidopening and open to the upper edges of the side walls, a verticallymovable clamp member slidable in said grooves, ofiset grooves openinginto the horizontal grooves, a bifurcated lever pivotally and removablymounted in said offset grooves, a screw block pivotally mounted in thebifurcated end of said lever, a screw adjustably mounted in said block,a vertically disposed .passage in said clamp, and a ball head on saidscrew and engageable in said passage to provide universal connectionbetween the screw ball head and said clam-p.

CHARLES A. BAIHFF.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

